The proposed bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 16-5A-6, which focuses on the notification of breast density following mammography screenings. It establishes specific language that must be included in the summary provided to patients based on their breast density classification as determined by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. For patients with non-dense breasts, the summary will inform them that their breast tissue is not dense and encourage discussions with healthcare providers about breast density and cancer risks. Conversely, for patients with heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts, the summary will indicate that their breast tissue is dense and may require additional imaging tests, along with a similar encouragement to consult their healthcare provider.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the report sent to the patient's healthcare provider must include one of four specific breast density category terms based on the radiology findings. These categories range from "almost entirely fatty" to "extremely dense," which is noted to lower the sensitivity of mammography. The overall purpose of this legislation is to enhance patient awareness and understanding of breast density and its implications for breast cancer risk and detection.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-5A-6